Erdogan threatens Europe with new migrant wave, renews calls for no-fly zone in Syria
RT.com
11 Feb, 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that unless the EU loosens its purse strings and fulfils its commitment for financial aid to tackle the refugee crisis, Ankara could open the borders for those seeking asylum in Europe.
“In the past we have stopped people at the gates to Europe, in Edirne [in northwest Turkey] we stopped their buses. This can happen once or twice, and then we’ll open the gates and wish them a safe journey,” Daily Sabah cited President Erdogan as saying during an address to the Young Businessmen Confederation of Turkey (TÜGİK) taking place in the capital Ankara.
Erdogan said he had voiced similar warnings to European leaders not just once, but “at every opportunity.”
The Turkish president claimed his country has already spent $9 billion on refugees – far more than the $455 million received from the UN to help with refugee accommodation.
The EU has promised €3 billion (US$3.4 billion) in aid, but Erdogan said Turkey has not seen any sign of the money.
Erdogan added that “it is hypocritical to remind Turkey of its international responsibilities,” in a clear reference to the UN’s urging of Ankara to welcome the Syrian refugees concentrating on its border.
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